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LIGHTNING TALKS

We are pleased to bring you a new format for our main stage sessions for DWIC2025. Each session will include a maximum 10-minute presentation followed by a fire-side chat and an interactive Q&A session with polling. Each session will be delivered within 30 minutes – allowing our delegation to pre-schedule the session/s that they may wish to attend without impacting on their time for bi-lateral meetings.

Download the Agenda and plan your days. In addition to Lightning Talks, we have two ‘Debate Hour’ sessions and two ‘Insight in 45’ Geo Spotlight sessions. All of our speakers have given their time and expertise to plan for their sessions and we look forward to welcoming you to the Spice Ballroom and the main stage!

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  • 26 APRIL- SUNDAY


  • Admission to Badge Holders only

    NETWORKING
    Where
    Atlantis Royal Terrace

  • 27 APRIL - MONDAY


  • A keynote and panel discussion exploring the Dubai International Financial Centre’s evolving role in global reinsurance, and an update on plans for 2026. The DIFC & members will assess regulatory developments, market expansion, and DIFC’s ambitions as a hub for innovation, capacity, and capital flows connecting MENA, Asia and Africa.

    MAIN STAGE - LIGHTNING TALKS
    Where
    Atlantis Ballroom

  • Experts will examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the reinsurance value chain from claims automation and underwriting analytics to generative AI applications. The session will also consider how technology is changing workforce dynamics and skill sets across the industry. Hiring processes have changed as a result of AI and we’ll explore how that will change the landscape of talent.

    MAIN STAGE - LIGHTNING TALKS
    Where
    Atlantis Ballroom

  • This session addresses the reinsurance response to a changing climate, covering catastrophe modelling & resilience financing. Panellists will discuss data innovation, new modelling approaches, and strategies for managing the growing protection gap amid more frequent extreme weather events.

    MAIN STAGE - LIGHTNING TALKS
    Where
    Atlantis Ballroom

  • A focused conversation following on from the DIFC keynote. The session will discuss on the Dubai International Financial Centre’s evolving role as a regional and international hub for reinsurance. Senior market figures will exchange views on regulatory developments, capital flows, and strategic priorities driving the DIFC’s continued growth and global relevance.

    CHATHAM HOUSE ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
    Where
    The Boardroom

  • An engaging, participant-driven discussion on the most practical and high-impact AI applications in reinsurance. Delegates will debate real-world use cases in claims, underwriting, pricing, and portfolio management, exploring both successes and pitfalls. Expect open dialogue on governance, data ethics, and the pace of adoption across global markets.

    CHATHAM HOUSE ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
    Where
    The Boardroom

  • An expert-led discussion on the rising risks of political violence, unrest and geopolitical disruption. The session will cover underwriting approaches, coverage evolution and claims experience, alongside the implications for reinsurers seeking to balance opportunity with heightened exposure in volatile regions.

    CHATHAM HOUSE ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
    Where
    The Boardroom

  • Continue your meetings in an informal setting, to the backdrop of the sunset, on the Royal Terrace.

    NETWORKING
    Where
    Atlantis Royal Terrace

  • 28 APRIL - TUESDAY


  • A deep dive into the Gulf region’s expanding reinsurance ecosystem. Speakers will highlight the latest market developments in Riyadh and Dubai, including the evolving role of brokers, the influx of new capacity and regulatory shifts driving sustainable growth. How is the GCC holding its weight in an age where growth is already well underway?

    MAIN STAGE - LIGHTNING TALKS
    Where
    Atlantis Ballroom

  • This session explores the rapid rise of managing general agents in Dubai and across the region. MGA experts will discuss what’s fuelling this growth, how it’s reshaping distribution and where regulatory frameworks and market appetite are headed.

    MAIN STAGE - LIGHTNING TALKS
    Where
    Atlantis Ballroom

  • A candid discussion with broker and insurer CEOs who have recently established or scaled operations in the region. Topics include political instability and market volatility, amongst others. Strategies for maintaining operational resilience will be at the forefront of this session.

    MAIN STAGE - LIGHTNING TALKS
    Where
    Atlantis Ballroom

  • Industry leaders will explore how the reinsurance market is responding to changing energy dynamics in the Gulf. The discussion spans traditional oil and gas exposures, offshore developments and the transition to green and renewable projects, with insights on capacity and emerging risk management trends.

    CHATHAM HOUSE ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
    Where
    The Boardroom

  • This roundtable brings together experts to discuss how the industry is addressing regional catastrophe exposures. Topics include evolving hazard data, modelling advances and the role of reinsurance in supporting disaster preparedness, rapid recovery and resilient infrastructure across high-risk territories.

    CHATHAM HOUSE ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
    Where
    The Boardroom

  • A roundtable assessing the fast-evolving cyber threat landscape and its implications for reinsurance. Participants will examine claims patterns, emerging vulnerabilities, and shifting regulatory requirements, while debating how best to structure risk transfer solutions in an increasingly complex digital environment.

    CHATHAM HOUSE ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
    Where
    The Boardroom

  • 29 APRIL - WEDNESDAY


  • Speakers will address Türkiye’s reinsurance landscape, recent regulatory reforms, post-disaster recovery strategies and the role of international partners in supporting sustainable market development.

    MAIN STAGE - GEO SPOTLIGHT
    Where
    Atlantis Ballroom

  • This session shines a light on emerging opportunities across Central Asia. Industry participants will examine regional insurance maturity, infrastructure investment and the potential for reinsurance partnerships as economies diversify and expand risk transfer mechanisms.

    MAIN STAGE - GEO SPOTLIGHT
    Where
    Atlantis Ballroom

  • A dialogue focused on reinsurance market development across Sub-Saharan Africa. Panellists will explore growth in key territories, evolving regulatory frameworks and the role of international partnerships in technology adoption and sustainable market expansion.

    CHATHAM HOUSE ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
    Where
    The Boardroom

CLEMENT OWUSU

CLEMENT OWUSU

Group Chief Commercial Officer, Waica Re
PAMELA THOMSON HALL

PAMELA THOMSON HALL

CEO of International, Head of Risk & Broking International, WTW
PETER ENGLUND

PETER ENGLUND

Senior Executive Officer – Middle East, Zurich Insurance Company
ANVAR UMAROV

ANVAR UMAROV

Director at Global Reinsurance and International Relations Centre, Uzbekinvest Export-Import Insurance Company JSC
ATINC YILMAZ

ATINC YILMAZ

Regional CEO, Howden Türkiye & Central Asia Board Member Of Türkiye Insurance Brokers Association

MARIA KUZNETSOVA

MARIA KUZNETSOVA

SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EMRGENT RISK SOLUTIONS
OLIVIA DARLINGTON

OLIVIA DARLINGTON

Partner, Clyde & Co
NEERAJ YADVENDU

NEERAJ YADVENDU

Head of Middle East, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
ANDY WOODWARD

ANDY WOODWARD

Regional Head Middle East & Turkey, Lloyd’s
BELHASSEN TONAT

BELHASSEN TONAT

Senior Executive Manager - P&C, Munich Re Underwriting Agents

WEBSTER TWAAMBO

WEBSTER TWAAMBO

Chief Executive Officer, Finsbury Re
OWAIS ANSARI

OWAIS ANSARI

Chief Executive Officer, Munich Re [Mena Region]
BRANDAN HOLMES

BRANDAN HOLMES

VP - Senior Credit Officer, Moody's
MATTHEW HILL

MATTHEW HILL

CEO, Chartered Insurance Institute [CII]
MOHAMED SAAD

MOHAMED SAAD

FCII-Chartered Insurer, SEO, Africa Re DIFC

ABDESSAMAD EL ANGOUDI

ABDESSAMAD EL ANGOUDI

Head of Agriculture for EMEA and International Parametric Expert, GALLAGHER RE
GRACITA AOA-DE GRACIA

GRACITA AOA-DE GRACIA

Head – Insurance & Reinsurance, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority
GREG CARTER

GREG CARTER

Managing Director, Analytics - EMEA & AP, AM Best
ALYA AL ZAROUNI

ALYA AL ZAROUNI

Chief Operating Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority
SIMBA MAKWEMBERE

SIMBA MAKWEMBERE

Managing Director, Maksure Risk Solutions

CHRIS MACKINNON

CHRIS MACKINNON

Regional Director, APMEA, Lloyd's
OYBEK N. KHALILOV

OYBEK N. KHALILOV

CEO, Mosaic Insurance Group, Chairman at Insurance Association of Uzbekistan
DAVID BENYON

DAVID BENYON

Editor, Global Reinsurance & DWIC Conference Chair
BLANCA BERRUGUETE

BLANCA BERRUGUETE

EMEA HEAD OF CLIENT MANAGEMENT, DESCARTES
PHIL STORY

PHIL STORY

SEO, ITA (MIDDLE EAST) AND Chairman, DIFC Insurance Association

TALAL BAHAFI

TALAL BAHAFI

Managing Director, CEO, WTW Saudi Arabia
CENK ECEVIT

CENK ECEVIT

Owner, ECB Insurance Brokers and Chairman, Türkiye Insurance Brokers Association
UGUR GULLEN

UGUR GULLEN

Chairman of Turkiye Insurers and Reinsurers Association & Board Member of Ak Sigorta Insurance Company
 

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

SR.500 DUBAI
Wednesday 30 April 2025, 12:00 – 14:00, Boardroom, Atlantis the Palm

StrategicRISK.500 is an exclusive ‘off the record’ members-only forum for a carefully selected group of the most senior risk management professionals and insurance buyers from the biggest companies across the globe.
Through a series of closed-door roundtable sessions, SR.500 will examine the rapidly evolving risk landscape and learn how some of the biggest companies are innovating to better build resilience.

Topic | Plugging the skills gap: How the Middle East is tackling people-related risks
The Middle East is grappling with significant people and talent risks that could impede economic growth and diversification efforts.

A key challenge is the widening skills gap, particularly in digital and technological sectors. Rapid advancements have outpaced the current workforce’s capabilities, leading to a shortage of qualified professionals in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity.

High turnover rates further compound these challenges. Employees are considering job changes, often due to gaps in employee benefits and dissatisfaction with current compensation structures. This creates significant risks around talent retention, as organisations struggle to maintain a stable and committed workforce.

Our SR.500 roundtable presents a valuable opportunity for senior risk management professionals and insurance buyers to engage in in-depth discussions on effective strategies to mitigate people and talent risks.

Participants:

DUBAI AIRPORTS
RAKINSURANCE
ADNOC GROUP
RAK CERAMICS
DEUTSCHE BANK
GULF INTERNATIONAL BANK
REVANTAGE [BLACKSTONE]
VISION INVEST
DP WORLD
IRM

If you would like to learn more about being an SR.500 partner please contact dan.king@nqsm.com